CC Chair letter to the President of the HRC - 04122023

With the benefit of our independence and expertise to address the wide array of issues covered by our 60 mandates, we have the unique ability to offer independent examination and analysis of situations in light of human rights norms and practice. [...] The legitimacy and authority of special procedures were directly put into question, thus undermining the whole system of special procedures and the reputation of the United Nations. [...] Lately, these attacks concerned, among others, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including East Jerusalem, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burundi, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression and the Special Rapporteur on the. [...] Special procedures have consistently raised concerns about these incidents, including in the context of the meeting between the Committee and the Bureau of the Council last April and reiterated during the Annual Meeting of Special Procedures last June, in particular during the exchange held with your Excellency. [...] Following your call during the Annual Meeting to be kept informed on that matter and in light of intensifying vilifications against special procedures mandate-holders, I am addressing you as President of the Human Rights Council and would urge you to support the work of special procedures and condemn in the strongest terms any personal attacks against mandate holders, including publicly.